The Best Full Face Helmets for 2021

Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS

Price: $279

Where to Buy

RevZilla

Why?

While the Qualifier DLX has been a favorite of the entry-level market for years, Bell has improved it for 2021 with the addition of a Multi-dimensional Impact Protection System, or MIPS. This safety feature allows for rotational energy from impacts to be displaced away from the neck and head of the rider, decreasing injury rates. When you add a safety feature that originated in MotoGP to an already best-selling entry-level helmet, you have a sure-fire winner of a helmet!

HJC i10

Price: $159

Where to Buy

RevZilla

Why?

This sub-$200 helmet may look unassuming, but don’t let that fool you. Using all the data and design learned from making full-on MotoGP and WSBK helmets, HJC has tossed what isn’t necessary, and made a value helmet that matches the safety ratings of multiple $500+ helmets. In fact, this helmet has so much boiled down racing technology applied to it that it is both DOT and SNELL M2020 certified, meaning it is approved for track use in the USA.

Icon Airflite

Price: $250

Where to Buy

RevZilla

Why?

This lid is an excellent affordable helmet with numerous features, a comfortable fit, and a very reasonable price. The helmet features a very large and oddly shaped face shield that you can get in a variety of colors.

The Airflite also gets a polycarbonate shell that comes in three different sizes, large air vents, a fog-free inner sun visor, removable side plates, a molded breath deflector, chin curtain, and a Hydradry moisture-wicking liner that’s removable and washable.

AGV K6

Price: $449.95

Where to Buy

RevZilla Amazon

Why?

I decided to drop the Schuberth R2 from this list due to limited availability and replace it with a much better overall helmet anyway. The AGV K6 is a force to be reckoned with, and I’ll explain why.

Have a carbon fiber helmet option in the sub $500 price range is one thing, but having a full face DOT and ECE approved helmet come in under 3 pounds is just insane. This helmet, despite its wickedly rigid construction, manages to tip the scales at a meager 2.95 lb. That’s lighter than some of the best open-faced helmets available.

HJC RPHA70

Price: $375

Where to Buy

RevZilla Amazon

Why?

The RPHA70 is HJC’s latest offering in the mid-range segment and it definitely punches above its weight (and price). It brings a lot of value, with an included anti-fog insert, an integrated sunshade, and excellent ventilation. It’s hard to beat a combination like that.

Shoei RF-SR

Price: $419

Where to Buy

RevZilla Amazon

Why?

The RF-SR was made with quiet and comfortable riding in mind. Just look at the shell design; sleek and line-free for aerodynamic greatness developed through tons of wind-tunnel testing.

This is the cheapest price point you will ever find a Shoei helmet at, and despite being a cheaper alternative to the RF-1200, you won’t be missing out on much. It’s quiet, safe, and even features replaceable cheek pads so you can get the perfect fit for you.

Shoei GT-Air II

Where to Buy

RevZilla Amazon

Price: $599

Why?

Considered by many to be the “ultimate” all-arounder, the GT-Air II is an extremely aerodynamic helmet affords wearers excellent airflow and road-noise management. As we have come to expect from Shoei, the quality of build is second-to-none. This is the high-end helmet to buy.

Shoei RF1400

Where to Buy

RevZilla

Price: $529

Why?

After 8 years of dominance, the venerable RF1200 has finally been discontinued. However, its replacement, the RF1400, evolves the helmet into an absolute weapon for both the track and the street. Improved padding and liner, a new form of weaving the glass fibers and organic fibers for the shell to make it the lightest yet most elastic shell Shoei has ever made, and an entirely new visor baseplate system that allows for 10-second visor replacements when needed. There was a reason that the RF1200 reigned supreme all those years, and we can see the RF1400 stepping up to that same throne.

Arai Signet-X

Price: $699

Where to Buy

RevZilla

Why?

If you’ve got a narrow (long oval) head shape, this is the helmet to wear. It has the signature Arai fit as well as the handmade quality that can only come from something artisan-made. Exceptional heat management comes standard, as does a clear Pinlock insert for fog control. A slightly modified version was released in mid-2020, which included a new fiberglass weave as well as passing the new SNELL M2020 certification tests

Arai Regent-X

Price: $559.95

Where to Buy

RevZilla

Why?

The helmet features a PB-cLc shell that comes in four sizes. The shell’s shape is rounded—an Arai trick that’s designed to allow things to glance off the helmet. The lid also gets multi-layer EPS, good ventilation, an anti-microbial liner that is removable and washable, Snell certification, and a wider opening to make the helmet a little easier to get on and take off (a big complaint of other Arai lids from some folks).

At wBW, “Best” Actually Means Something

Remember when you could open up a review of something, and when the publication – magazine, car show, whatever – said “best” they stood behind it? Yea, we remember, and we’re bringing it back.

Here’s how we do things:

• We disclose our affiliate relationships – We make money via advertising and affiliate relationships on our website. It’s how we pay our team and invest in things like sending Jim to Italy. And Japan. And France… wait… why do we always send Jim places?
• We obsessively hands-on test – We wear and ride with gear before reviewing it, and we update reviews down the line if our opinions change. We look at real-world situations because that’s the world we live in.
• We’re objective – Good gear is good gear, regardless of who made it.
• We’re value-focused – Why pay $500 if something for $250 is just as good? Our review scores and recommendations reflect best value. Brand only goes so far – the gear has to stand on its own.

Hands-on reviews of 2021’s best riding gear. More than 2,500 hands-on reviews since 1999!